Power lines blamed for brush fire near Santa Ysabel

North County Times

SANTA YSABEL -- Authorities are blaming power lines for a
fast-moving brush fire whipped by cold, gusty Santa Ana winds this
morning that prompted precautionary evacuations west of Santa
Ysabel in north San Diego County.

The blaze reported at dawn near the tiny town at highways 78 and
79 in a rural valley west of Julian had scorched 230 acres by late
morning, sending smoke across North County.

However, flames weren't spreading as winds calmed and there was
"shaky containment," authorities said.

"It looks really good," Audrey Hagen, California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman, had said a short time
earlier. "If the winds pick up, they're going to try to head it
toward the north side of Sutherland Dam. There's no structures
there."

CDF officials couldn't be reached to explain how power lines
started the hillside blaze, which was reported about 5:30 a.m. west
of Highway 79 and Mesa Grande Road.

Area fire agencies immediately responded to what became known as
the Open fire. The number of firefighters had grown to 370 by 11
a.m. as crews worked to fully surround the surround the
wildfire.

"They have retardant all the way around the fire," said
sheriff's Lt. Phil Brust.

Six air tankers, four helicopters, 40 fire engines, 13 fire
crews and two bulldozers were on the fire lines. It wasn't known
when the flames would be contained.

No injuries had been reported.

Highways and roads in the area remained open, and a traffic
warning was canceled at 11:05 a.m.

The entire county is under a red flag warning because of
critical fire weather conditions until 5 p.m. Sunday.

Authorities said even though there's a cold snap in the region
after a small storm early this week, the area is still very dry,
humidities are below 15 percent, and San

When the wildfire was discovered, chilly winds of 20 to 25 mph
out of the desert were quickly fanning the flames southwest toward
the Witch Creek and Ramona areas.

Sheriff's deputies started notifying residents ahead of the
blaze for possible evacuations.

Initially, officials were concerned that if the fire couldn't be
stopped at a truck trail it could head into Ramona.